Caster level and hit dice [Archive] - Wizards Community

Caster level and hit dice [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Moonlightbard
02-01-04, 10:05 AM Is the caster level given in the monsters' descriptions a fixed number or does it change when he gain more hit dice?

for example... a succubus (with 6 hit dice) has caster level 12 for her spell-like abilities.
If she gain 4 levels in the rogue class (or is an advanched succubus with 10 hit dice), does her caster level change?
DM Zoc
02-01-04, 10:23 AM Generally speaking, "spell-like abilities" never improve in caster level.
blue_eyed_paladin
02-01-04, 05:14 PM I think they only improve if the monster's base hit dice are advanced, not if they add non-monster levels.
sandskimmer
02-01-04, 06:19 PM I think they only improve if the monster's base hit dice are advanced, not if they add non-monster levels.

As DM Zoc stated, spell-like abilities generally don't advance, even if a monster's base HD increases. That's because most creature's already cast their spells as though they had many more HD than they actually do (in general).

Tak the Angels as an example.
Astral Deva has 12HD and a caster level of 12.
The Planetar has 14HD & a caster level of 17.
The Solar has 22HD & a caster level of 20.
Changing the monster's HD isn't going to affect its caster level for its spell-like abilities.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Moonlightbard 02-01-04, 10:05 AM	Is the caster level given in the monsters' descriptions a fixed number or does it change when he gain more hit dice? for example... a succubus (with 6 hit dice) has caster level 12 for her spell-like abilities. If she gain 4 levels in the rogue class (or is an advanched succubus with 10 hit dice), does her caster level change?
DM Zoc 02-01-04, 10:23 AM	Generally speaking, "spell-like abilities" never improve in caster level.
blue_eyed_paladin 02-01-04, 05:14 PM	I think they only improve if the monster's base hit dice are advanced, not if they add non-monster levels.
sandskimmer 02-01-04, 06:19 PM	I think they only improve if the monster's base hit dice are advanced, not if they add non-monster levels. As DM Zoc stated, spell-like abilities generally don't advance, even if a monster's base HD increases. That's because most creature's already cast their spells as though they had many more HD than they actually do (in general). Tak the Angels as an example. Astral Deva has 12HD and a caster level of 12. The Planetar has 14HD & a caster level of 17. The Solar has 22HD & a caster level of 20. Changing the monster's HD isn't going to affect its caster level for its spell-like abilities.